Page 102 of Unless It's You
“Sure, why not? Can I help plan it?”
“Of course,” Reese says. “I’ll be swamped with wedding stuff, so I’d love if you can help.”
“And by then, it won’t matter if Stuffy Richard doesn’t like you helping with Reese’s bucket list item,” I say. But internally, I raise my eyebrows at Maddie’s offer to help plan thetrip. Maddie is not the most organized of the three of us, so I can’t wait to see how this goes.
“Hooray! Just... remind me where Ireland is?” Maddie deadpans.
Reese snorts, then Maddie starts giggling, then I join in, and soon the three of us are laughing so hard tears flow down my cheeks. It’s joyful and sincere and sad at the same time. When the laughter dies down, Reese speaks.
“I can’t believe Aunt Evelyn’s gone. I wish she was here to see all this.”
“Me too, but this is what she wanted,” I say. “To encourage us to live our best lives, like she did.”
I think about her lost love on the Isle of Skye. She had regrets, too. Maybe we all will, eventually, but I guess it’s a worthy goal to minimize those regrets as much as possible.
We all say goodbye with promises to let each other know when we hear back from Richard. I disconnect the call with a wide smile on my face. When I minimize my video call screen, there’s a new email in my inbox.
To:Richard Ramsey
From:Ethan Fraser
CC:Stella Hart
Date:03 August 2024
Subject:Re: Re: Re: Stella’s Final Bucket List Update for Approval
As her advisor, I can confirm Stella has completed all the tasks as she stated.
-Ethan Fraser
There’s a knock at my door.
I rush over and swing it open. Ethan’s standing there, gorgeousas always, holding a giant bag in one hand and a cardboard cat carrier in the other.
“Kitten delivery service,” he says. “Did you order an angry black kitten?”
“Hmm, nope, sorry, wrong flat.” I fake close the door, then open it and step back so he can come in.
Nessie is desperately mewing in the box.
“She can wait just a minute.” Ethan places the bag and box on the floor.
“Got everything I need?”
“Yes.” He steps forward and closes the distance between us, pulling me against him. I slide my hands up his chest and around his neck.
“It went okay with Ben?”
“Mmm-hmm.” He dips his face down to mine and kisses me, gently at first, then with more intensity. My heart pounds so hard in my chest, I feel like I just might explode.
This man is mine. He loves me. I love him.
Nessie mews with increasing intensity and we both freeze mid-kiss.
“Let’s get that kitten out so I can officially finish Aunt Evelyn’s bucket list.”
And after one more kiss, we do just that.
